RE: Camping in Texas?

[hbfc6]

 
I was working the midnight shift last night. Around 400 am I ask one of the Furnace Helpers " You are from Texas I was thinking about camping in Texas on the kids spring break. Do you know of any good places to camp and things to see in Texas?"  He replies "  Texas don t go! There are bugs and snakes and they get into everything. I would not go if I were you."  What do you think? Are there any nice places to camp in Texas or should I go someplace else?
  John

[4Sharps2Camp]

 hbfc6
I have camped in the " hill country"  outside of San Antonio, and down in Big Bend, both areas are very nice.

[CampinCrazy]

 hbfc6
Oh goodness sakes, I am the biggest weenie there is and have camped here in Texas/Oklahoma since last summer and haven t had any trouble.
 
  The only problem I had (which my DH thought was hysterical) is an apparent phobia to skunks!  Check out the reviews of several campgrounds and come join us here in Texas!!

[AustinBoston]

 hbfc6
I would only say think twice about camping in Texas in the summer unless you have A/C.  It gets hot.
 
 Austin

[Turn Key]

 hbfc6
If you look for them, there are bugs and snakes everywhere!  Jeez!  What part of Texas was this guy from!
 
 Come on down to Texas!  " 4Sharps2Camp"  mentioned the Hill Country and I can t think of a better part of this state!  We camp there for a week every spring and with the weather, wildflowers and birds of all sorts, your just talking about a little slice of heaven!  Here is a site that will give you a listing of state parks in the area:
 
 [link]http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/clicpark/hillcoun.htm[/link]
 
 We have camped at most and been to almost all of them at one time or another.  With kids and them wanting LOTS of activities, I would suggest Inks Lake State Park.  A beutiful park that abounds in deer!   Each park is different but they are all great! (FYI: We will be at Guadalupe River State Park for 8 days in April.  Can t wait!!!)
 
 The map is " clickable"  and if you click on the big heading at the top, you will be taken to Park Systems home page.  Lots of good info.
 
 Wish I had time to give you more info but as I work the 3rd watch, it s about time for me to sack out.  We re leaving in the morning for a couple of days camping (Mineral Wells SP) so won t be available to answer any questions until we get back.  If I can help, just post your questions and I ll answer them when I get back.  Also, I suspect you ll get some info from some of the other Texans on this board.  We tend to be a might proud of our state[][][]!
 
 Wishing you a great trip!
 
 
   
 
 

[Trlrboy]

 hbfc6
Click on my photos link below and you ll see a bunch of pictures from various SP s here in TX that we like a lot.  
 
 I agree with Austin about the heat in summer.  Gotta have that A/C for sleeping and a 20"  box fan is handy for getting a breeze going by the picnic table.  C mon down.

[Trlrboy]

 hbfc6
Oh, one other thing regarding the snakes...
 
 They don t get much bigger than 10-12 feet long and we all train our dogs to herd them out of the campgrounds.

[JemJen24]

 hbfc6
(pops her loaded rifle)...did someone just say somethin  negative about my Texas?!!!!   [>:]
 
 Seriously...Texas has it all....deserts, wooded areas, mountains, beaches....not all states host as much as Texas has to offer.  Ofcourse, I m biased....I m Texan.
 
 []

[bikolee]

 hbfc6
Well, I guess there are snakes around here. Haven t actually seen any in a CG though.  Our SP s are very popular and tend to be very busy most all year round, so I guess that s why we haven t had any problems with critters. Oh, the critters are plentiful. We have over 100 SP s to choose from. Anything from beach front, to mountainous, to forest, to just plain flat and open. I gotta agree with Turn Key though. The hill country is our favorite area.
 
 Oh yeah. You will want to make reservations well in advance.

[Redwolf]

 hbfc6
What?!   " bugs and snakes" ?     I ve seen less bugs in Texas than I have in most other states I ve camped in.  Surely less mosquitos, that s for sure.   I ve only seen two snakes in the past four years...one in Colorado and the other in Missouri.
 
 I ll have you know what Texas has some of the best campgrounds in the entire US.    Please have your friend take a look at my website for our recommendations on the best camping areas in TX that we ve been to.
 
 Texas has a lot of everything.  We ve got coastal areas, mountains, deserts, piney woods, oak woods, bayous, plains, chasms and caverns, and lakes and hill country.
 
 " Texas, don t go" .   HMPH!
 
 I agree with JemJen...them s fightin  words!
 

[Turn Key]

 hbfc6
Well, as warned, you have now heard from a good percentage of my fellow Texans.  We ALL tend to be a might proud of our state![]
 
 PS: By all means, check out Trlrboy s photo spread.  He s got some great shots that will give you an idea what to expect.
 

[Tsip]

 hbfc6
The worst bug infestation I have ever encountered occurred 1200 miles from my home in Texas at Mueller SP in Colorado.  I have seen more snakes camping in Colorado than I have in Texas and I have camped in Texas for too many years to count.  I have to admit that I ve had my ice chest raided by the coons once or twice.
 
 I m not trying to say that we don t have snakes, bugs and a host of other critters here in Texas.  They re part of the great outdoors, no matter where you camp.  Down here most Texans like to camp in the Fall, Winter and Spring.  Come summer time it is hot, so you better have an AC unit and if you are smart you ll camp next to a swimming hole of some sort.
 
 regards,
 
 Tsip

[The Robinsons]

 hbfc6
I just love Texas & Texans!!!  I ve only been here for 14 years and my goal is to die here!  In all the places I ve lived, I ve never met so many people so enthusiastic about where they live - and Texas deserves all this enthusiasm! []
 
 Springtime is Texas is absolutely amazing - everyone ought to see at least once.  East Texas has piney woods and the Hill Country is hard to describe, but it s breathtaking!  
 
 Come on down and have fun!  If you do see a snake, however, just remember if you leave it alone, it ll leave you alone!

[Wayfarer]

 hbfc6
Don t camp in Texas??  Obviously, your friend has never camped in Texas.  
 
 We ve never had a problem with snakes or bugs or whatever.  Haven t even seen a snake yet (while camping, that is).  Lots of possems, coons, armadillos, deer, hogs, turkeys, etc., but they don t eat much...well, the coons will if you leave any food out.  And, yeah, the gators can get nasty if you pick at them, as can snakes and wild hogs.  But so can most people if you torment them.  
 
 Come on down to Texas and enjoy some good fun and fellowship at one of our many state parks.  Bring your AC in July and August.  
 
 I know my camp photos can t compare with Trlrboy s, but if you want to see more after checking out his Webshots, then click on my website and follow the links.
 
 Happy Trails!

[Trlrboy]

 hbfc6
Wayfarer:  I m honored.